Jaclyn & Matt
Wedding Party
Katelyn Ruby
Maid of Honor
From the moment they brought my little sister home from the hospital, it was love at first sight. While Katelyn is 10 years younger than me, she is wise beyond her years. As we’ve grown older, Katelyn has become more than just my little sister (my “Munchkin”) - she is my best friend, my confidant, my running partner, my role model, my inspiration, my light. We’ve shared loss, challenges, successes, and adventures. She makes my heart full and I could not and would not want to do this life without her. Even if we weren't sisters I would want to know her and have her in my life. Katelyn is currently a program manager at Meta and a proud mom of two fur babies - Suki and Okami.
Sammy Tu
Best Man
Some of the words that come to mind when I think about describing my best friend...Loyal, Intelligent, Persistent, Talented, and Caring. Sammy and I met on the West Coast demonstration team while training and traveling together. He is an exceptional martial artist, dancer, and even better friend. When not working, we can usually find him playing video games or just spending time with his lovely wife Ngoc. He has a great sense of humor, and loves to keep up to date on current events. He is always one to bring up interesting conversation that is part thought provoking and part humorous. Sammy has been working at Lockheed Martin for the past 12 years.
Jeanette Sulay
Bridesmaid
Jeanette (affectionately known to me as Jdog) is my younger cousin/soul sister. As the next oldest girl cousin on my mom’s side, Jeanette and I spent a lot of time together during my teenage years. She endured my many phases (including the infamous G.I. Jane phase) and has always allowed me to be fully myself. We both have urban hippy tendencies (a love of conscious hip hop and spiritual/hippy practices). Jeanette has a green thumb and is our resident plant consultant. She is light-hearted, silly, ready to laugh and a breath of fresh air to be around. Jeanette is currently a field operations coordinator at a startup and proud mom of two fur babies - Sisig and Deebo.
Kim Do
Groomsman
Kim and I first met at the martial arts school when I was 16 years old. I always looked quite young, and at 16 I didn't look old enough to drive. I remember when we first met, he exclaimed "You can drive!?" as I was pulling up to take a blue belt class. We have remained friends ever since. Kim is currently working in the stunt industry for major films and has done stunt work for TV and movies in the US and internationally.
Jasmine Nieto
Bridesmaid
Jasmine (affectionately known to me as Jaz) is the third oldest girl cousin/soul sister on my mom’s side. A part of me will always see her as the cute, quiet, fast-crawling baby I used to babysit. It’s been a privilege for me to watch her evolve into a smart, thoughtful, strong woman and mother. We both share a love of random cat videos and fall decor. When you are around Jasmine, you feel at ease. Her quiet strength makes you feel like everything is going to be okay. This is probably why she is going to make an amazing nurse (soon to be official). Jasmine is currently a nursing student and mom of three children - Aj, Alyssa and Arie, as well as mom of one furbaby - Remy.
Anthony Gooch
Groomsman
Anthony and I met on the West Coast demonstration team. I have absolutely loved watching Anthony grow from a young man to a now recent father of a beautiful baby girl named Journey. Anthony is a quick learner, an amazing martial artist, and a phenomenal dancer. He is currently working on his Bachelor's degree from San Jose State University and will graduate within the next year!
Ngoc Tu
Bridesmaid
I met Ngoc through her husband and Matt’s best friend - Sammy Tu. Over the past 4-5 years we’ve become very close. We bonded over our love of french fries, chocolate chip cookies, and funny baby videos. Ngoc deeply cares for her family and friends. She is devoted, thoughtful and silly, often showing her love with food, little gifts and funny videos. While she may be soft-spoken, she is not afraid to speak her mind. I admire that about her. She is one of the hardest workers I know and I will never be able to go to another hair-stylist again. Ngoc has been a self-employed hair stylist for over 18 years.
Jeff Miller
Groomsman
Jeff and I first met on the West Coast demonstration team where he would perform using a staff with a sword at the end of it that was taller than him. Jeff is an avid beer connoisseur, camper, and still keeps active in his martial arts training. He is currently working for Bellator under one of our martial arts instructors who is now the CEO of Bellator. Jeff is also the proud papa of a meatball of a bulldog named Cleatus...ok ok, his dog is really named Tyson.
Utana Roybal
Bridesmaid
Most people don’t know this but Utana and I have known eachother since we were five years old. We first met as cabin buddies at a martial arts summer camp and later, when I joined the martial arts performance team, we became best friends. We trained, traveled and performed together and were inseparable during our formative years. My childhood would not have been the same without her. We bonded over our love of chocolate, rollerblading, Friends, billiards, Max’s chocolate chip cheesecake and dreaming of being old ladies having adventures together. Utana has always allowed me to fully be myself and I will always be grateful to her for showing me what an authentic, unconditional friendship looks like. Utana is incredibly smart, diligent, thoughtful, empathetic and one of the best listeners I’ve ever known. She is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and mom of a little girl (who should be born any day now).
Jeff Garcia
Groomsman
My actual brother! Jeff and I grew up in Campbell California where I beat on him on an almost daily basis. I feel bad about it now, but at least he had the high school record for quickest escapes on his wrestling team! Jeff has grown up to be a traveler and an investor. His next journey has him going off to Thailand where he will live for the next few months.